The state of New Jersey (see Overlawyered, Jun. 10-11, 2003) and various local government entities in California and elsewhere (Jun. 16, 2004) have been hiring private lawyers on contingent fee to sue private businesses for restoration of groundwater, river quality, and other environmental amenities. Paul N. Singarella of Latham & Watkins discusses the trend (PDF) in a still-relevant National Law Journal op-ed from last winter.